AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

47

A.—No. Ba,

No. 145. Wi Te Wheoro to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 26th January, 1870. Waikato appears to be peaceful at present. Rewi has gone to prevent his tribes from joining Te Kooti. Manuwhiri is the only one whose thoughts are not known. When he tells me all that he has to say, I will return. Let me know your word. The Hon. the Defence Minister. Wi Te Wheoro.

No. 146. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Wi Te Wheoro. (Telegram.) To Wi Te Wheoro,— Auckland, 26th January, 1870. It is well that Waikato should all be peaceful: and that Rewi should prevent his tribe from joining Te Kooti. Tell Manuwhiri, for Manuwhiri is an old man who gives matters due consideration. Wi Te Wheoro, Alexandra. , Donald McLean.

No. 147. Wi Te Wheoro to the Hon. the Defence Minister. To the Hon. the Defence Minister. Alexandra, 28th Januaiy, 1870. I have returned. Manuwhiri said a great deal, which I will write in a letter. His last word was that he would have nothing more to say about Te Kooti, and that he finds fault with us for being in such a hurry to pursue Te Kooti. All Waikato say that they do not approve of Te Kooti. The Hon. the Defence Minister. Wi Te Wheoro.

No. 148. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Clarke. (Telegram.) Sir, — Auckland, 26th Januaiy, 1870. Before this reaches you, I expect the forces under Lieut.-Colonel Fraser will have reached Tapapa, and I trust that every exertion has been made by you to get as many of the Arawas as are available to move on to the enemy's position. Every moment is of importance at the present time, and it is highly necessary that the greatest amount of energy should be used in vigorously 7 carrying out the plans that have been decided on. I am not writing to Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, but if you have an opportunity intimate to him my desire for energetic co-operation with Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Yesterday an engagement took place between McDonnell's forces and the enemy, in which the advantage was on our side. I find by telegrams from the front, that he is anxiously looking out for Lieut.-Colonel Eraser's advance. I have, &c, 11. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Donald McLean. Tauranga.

No. 149. Mr. Commissioner Branigan to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 26th January, 1870. Contractor in from McDonnell's camp this evening. Kemp has captured sixty of Kooti's horses. This is important, as only his immediate followers were mounted. They will, therefore, not be able to get far away. McDonnell sent no further official news. I am starting to first camp, Hinuera, fifteen miles hence, to look after convoys. I will be back to-night. I leave instructions as to forwarding you any intelligence that may arrive while I am absent. St. John Branigan.

No. 150. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Auckland, 26th January, 1870. Delighted with the capture of the 60 horses by Major Kemp. Have you any fresh news ? The Tauranga force are moving with the Arawa, by the route indicated by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, but I cannot be positive as to the time of arrival at Te Kooti's position of Lieut.Colonel Fraser and Arawas. Donald McLean.